4-in-10 Ruth. Residents Read at or Below a 3rd Grade Level

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WMOT) -- A mid-state literacy program is gearing up for its biggest annual event: Reading in the Schools day.

The Rutherford County based program Read to Succeed says thousands of students will listen to community volunteers read to their classes on Friday, September 20.

According to the most recent federal statistics, 44% of Rutherford County residents read at or below a third grade level.

Read to Succeed was founded in 2003 to promote literacy across the county. The organization provides free books, hosts reading events and trains English as a second language instructors.

In addition to Read in the Schools day coming up on the 20th, Read to Succeed’s Debbie Mankin says the group will also be hosting a literacy event targeted at entire families.

“We use MTSU education students and their professors, and they actually come and do a program for the children, and we give away free books that night that have been donated to ‘Read to Succeed” and provide a meal for the families also.”

The organization is still looking for additional volunteers to read in the schools on the 20th. Visit readtosuccee.org for more information.